Home health technology can save the day

If you have trouble taking your blood pressure with an arm cuff the traditional way, this wrist blood pressure monitor may be worth a try. The Omron 7 Series is a slim, portable cuff that allows you to check your blood pressure quickly and discreetly. It fits on your wrist, which you hold at heart level to get the reading. To ensure accurate readings, it automatically activates when your wrist is in the proper position. It also has an irregular heartbeat detector and a blood pressure risk category indicator. It sells for $63.99 at omronhealthcare.com and at stores such as CVS, Walgreens, Target and Walmart.

If you have trouble taking your blood pressure with an arm cuff the traditional way, this wrist blood pressure monitor may be worth a try. The Omron 7 Series is a slim, portable cuff that allows you to check your blood pressure quickly and discreetly. It fits on your wrist, which you hold at heart level to get the reading. To ensure accurate readings, it automatically activates when your wrist is in the proper position. It also has an irregular heartbeat detector and a blood pressure risk category indicator. It sells for $63.99 at omronhealthcare.com and at stores such as CVS, Walgreens, Target and Walmart.

OneTouch UltraMini blood glucose tester This tiny blood glucose tester is small enough to keep anywhere around the house and pop into a purse or pocket to use on the go. It earned the highest rating in Consumer Reports' analysis of blood glucose test meters. The OneTouch UltraMini can store as many as 500 of your past readings. It features a large, easy-to-read screen and three-step testing. Sells for about $20 at drugstores and discount stores.

OneTouch UltraMini blood glucose tester This tiny blood glucose tester is small enough to keep anywhere around the house and pop into a purse or pocket to use on the go. It earned the highest rating in Consumer Reports' analysis of blood glucose test meters. The OneTouch UltraMini can store as many as 500 of your past readings. It features a large, easy-to-read screen and three-step testing. Sells for about $20 at drugstores and discount stores.

Monitoring your health at home has become easier with products that used to be found only in a doctor's office. Home safety monitoring has gotten smarter, too, using GPS, cellular networks and even smartphones. Here are a few gadgets that can help alert you to potential health issues before they become emergencies -- and also help you cope with actual emergencies when they occur.